Top Teams Perform Well at Volleyball Tourney
Last Saturday October 14th fifteen teams set out to win the heralded Martinsburg Invitational Volleyball Tournament. When the dust settled and 12 hours later the Lady Big Reds from Parkersburg High prevailed in a thriller over the Musselman Appleman.
At 9 am the tournament began with 3 games being played and the action did not stop until 10:00 pm that same night. Spectators on hand were very lucky to watch the top teams throughout the state of West Virginia compete in the all day tournament. Below you will find some news and notes from the Martinsburg Invitational Tournament.
Tournament Champions
The Parkersburg Big Reds came into the tournament ranked 3rd in the state and proved to be a quality team. The Lady Big Reds finished pool play 8-2 with both of there losses coming to Musselman. Parkersburg defeated Beckley, Hedgesville and then Musselman to take home the crown.
A Dominant Team
The Lady Appleman from Musselman High School coasted through Pool Play with a perfect 10-0 record. The Applemen then beat a tough Tyler Consolidated team in the final four before losing to Parkersburg in the championship game. Musselman displayed why they are ranked #1 in the state with their dominant team performance throughout the day.
Block Party
The Hedgesville Eagle Volleyball team backed up their #4 ranking in the state with a quality performance this weekend. The Eagles lost to eventual champion Parkersburg in the final four in a 3 game thriller. Throughout the entire tournament the Eagles were dominating the play at the net with many blocks by there talented front line.
Small School Size/Big Time Talent
The Tyler Consolidated Volleyball team proved that Double AA teams can compete with the bigger schools over the weekend. The girl's team advanced to the final four of the tournament before losing to Musselman who is ranked #1 in AAA Volleyball. Of the six teams that advanced to the tournament Tyler Consolidated was the only team that was not a AAA school. Congrats to their team and there great fan support.
Best Individual Performance
Musselman's Alyse Custer was dominant all day for the Appleman. Custer totaled 39 kills, 5 blocks, 21 service points with 8 of those being aces and was named to the All-Tournament team along with teammate Megan Holmes. Custer was injured during the championship game and was unable to continue against Parkersburg.
Odds ands Ends
In the end the tournament was a success in my eyes. The quality of teams and the volleyball talent that was displayed at Martinsburg was tremendous. When the state tournament rolls around you can expect some rematches between these teams with state title implications on the line.
